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Community Corner

Local Family Needs Our Help

Hurricane Irene may be gone, but for this Trappe family of five, the effects will be felt for a long time. They are hoping the community can lend a helping hand.

Lisa Shimko and her family lived three homes down from in Collegeville until this past weekend. As the flood waters from Irene came through the area, Lisa, her husband and their three children, ages 12, 9 and 5, had to flee their home.

“Nothing is left,” Lisa reported. “Everything is ruined—even the curtain rods.”

The family was able to secure an apartment in Trappe, but they are left with no money, no clothes, no furniture and no electricity.

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PECO can’t come to turn the power on until Tuesday,” said Lisa. “My kids will be taking cold showers on the first day of school, but at least we have a place to live.”

Her 12-year-old son will be a sixth grader at . His 9-year-old sister is a student at . Both schools gave school supplies to the family through donations from PV South and PV East .

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The family is seeking:

  • Clothing for a 12-year-old-boy—size 12, shoe size 6
  • Clothing for a 9-year-old-girl—shoe size 2
  • Clothing for a 5-year-old-boy—size 4T, shoe size 11
  • Women’s clothing—size 10
  • Men’s clothing—XXL shirt size
  • Toiletries
  • Quilts, blankets, curtains, curtain rods and miniblinds
  • Laundry detergent
  • Money for laundromat
  • Candles, matches, flashlights (to deal with lack of electricity until next week)
  • Nonperishable foods. The family has a small cooler for now for a few perishables.
  • Crayons, pens, pencils and paper to help with homework
  • Toys, books, games, puzzles
  • Gift cards to area stores such as Redners, Giant and Target.

The family lost all its DVDs, electronics and furniture.

Please contact Lisa Shimko at 215-272-9625 if you have any items to donate.

Donations may also be dropped off at the family's apartment, 437 W. Main Street, Apt. 2, in Trappe (located beside ).

"We're grateful for anything anyone can do to help us," Lisa said.

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